Scores:
PA 21
QR 20
RC 21
Biology 22
O Chem 25
Chem 25
Total Science 23
AA 23 (99.7)
This breakdown is a conversational ramble. If you have specific questions feel free to PM me.
Background: I basically studied math for 1-2 hours a day for 2 weeks while my soon to be fiance studied (he got a 24), and then 13 hours a day for 11 days (with my dad cooking, running to walmart, etc. for me). Paying attention to class was ESSENTIAL to doing well on this and really saved me because I knew pretty much everything I studied, I just had to review it a little. I am also a tutor so the semi-constant reviewing of biology/o chem definitely helped my info retention.
Things that I did that wasted my time:
-MAINLY: I did not have a plan. I spent time doing things that in retrospect, were a waste. I would make a list of what you want to buy, when you are going to do it, and don't stray.
-I made too many Anki cards. Making them helped me to remember- I guess? but I never went through any stack fully once I made it. This is a good tool though.
-I tried to research every random bio fact that I missed on topscore- MAJOR WASTE. P.S. Be careful what you deem a waste.
-I did not order the 2009 sample test FAST ENOUGH. This test is still VERY relevant IMO (I'm not sure they took those questions out of the test bank / ) order it.
Final/most useful study techniques and tips:
Post it note/walmart see through sticky tabs. Mark every question that you miss as you miss them. Writing them down to the side is inconvenient. Working through a whole test then going back to correct temporarily reinforces bad processes/thoughts-- so instead I write down 10 answers somewhere on my writing board and check directly after I work each one.
*Buy a writing board with a thin dry erase pen to imitate the testing environment.
*Try not to take naps in the day until After your test would be done.
*If you only have two weeks, avoid facebook, avoid laying in bed before you are about to pass out, etc. that waste time.
*PRACTICE rounding/doing math on your board when doing math problems so that you get faster.
PAT:
Starting point: 21 topscore/19ish on CDP
Day before test: 22 on CDP
Total tests taken: 4
Accuracy of tests: very accurate. I was always getting 14-15s/15 on some sections, and then randomly bombing either angles, TFE, or cube counting....
Advice: Develop your OWN methods if nothing works. I used 4x4 for pattern folding, a table for cube counting (with Only the numbers they ask for). I didn't score the best on this though.
Biology:
Hit or miss. There were ~5 questions that I knew I was guessing on--they weren't TERRIBLY random...but a couple were definitely more in depth than barrons/Cliffs. I did not have time to do destroyer/achiever/etc. anything beyond AP bio flashcards/browsing through AP bio books.
QR: Time was a huge issue for me. I started off very weak (had to learn the trig formulas, log stuff, ln stuff) in this area and did not have much time to improve. I would recommend skipping the hard ones and doing the easy ones if you struggle with this. Achiever is ridiculous, a waste of time, don't do it. Math Destroyer was awesome-- one thing that it didn't cover was P values .
RC: was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I am a naturally "talented" reader and my over confidence and non-practice for this area definitely hurt. Suggestions... practice from MCAT reading comprehension passages because Topscore/etc. are FAR too "find this fact" search and destroy conducive.
OChem/Chem: The basics are very basics and there were... essentially 1 or two weird ones each section. Not really anything Tricky--definitely nothing that you can't rule out. Destroyer all the way.
Day of test:
Excedrin Migraine with caffeine. I slept ~3 hours before the test, and needed this. I might recommend testing melatonin to prevent this problem, but I did not test it out enough to feel safe taking it the night before.
Now:
We are applying to multiple schools to increase our chances of getting in together, also I am an URM-although I'm not sure if that really helps.
PA 21
QR 20
RC 21
Biology 22
O Chem 25
Chem 25
Total Science 23
AA 23 (99.7)
This breakdown is a conversational ramble. If you have specific questions feel free to PM me.
Background: I basically studied math for 1-2 hours a day for 2 weeks while my soon to be fiance studied (he got a 24), and then 13 hours a day for 11 days (with my dad cooking, running to walmart, etc. for me). Paying attention to class was ESSENTIAL to doing well on this and really saved me because I knew pretty much everything I studied, I just had to review it a little. I am also a tutor so the semi-constant reviewing of biology/o chem definitely helped my info retention.
Things that I did that wasted my time:
-MAINLY: I did not have a plan. I spent time doing things that in retrospect, were a waste. I would make a list of what you want to buy, when you are going to do it, and don't stray.
-I made too many Anki cards. Making them helped me to remember- I guess? but I never went through any stack fully once I made it. This is a good tool though.
-I tried to research every random bio fact that I missed on topscore- MAJOR WASTE. P.S. Be careful what you deem a waste.
-I did not order the 2009 sample test FAST ENOUGH. This test is still VERY relevant IMO (I'm not sure they took those questions out of the test bank / ) order it.
Final/most useful study techniques and tips:
Post it note/walmart see through sticky tabs. Mark every question that you miss as you miss them. Writing them down to the side is inconvenient. Working through a whole test then going back to correct temporarily reinforces bad processes/thoughts-- so instead I write down 10 answers somewhere on my writing board and check directly after I work each one.
*Buy a writing board with a thin dry erase pen to imitate the testing environment.
*Try not to take naps in the day until After your test would be done.
*If you only have two weeks, avoid facebook, avoid laying in bed before you are about to pass out, etc. that waste time.
*PRACTICE rounding/doing math on your board when doing math problems so that you get faster.
PAT:
Starting point: 21 topscore/19ish on CDP
Day before test: 22 on CDP
Total tests taken: 4
Accuracy of tests: very accurate. I was always getting 14-15s/15 on some sections, and then randomly bombing either angles, TFE, or cube counting....
Advice: Develop your OWN methods if nothing works. I used 4x4 for pattern folding, a table for cube counting (with Only the numbers they ask for). I didn't score the best on this though.
Biology:
Hit or miss. There were ~5 questions that I knew I was guessing on--they weren't TERRIBLY random...but a couple were definitely more in depth than barrons/Cliffs. I did not have time to do destroyer/achiever/etc. anything beyond AP bio flashcards/browsing through AP bio books.
QR: Time was a huge issue for me. I started off very weak (had to learn the trig formulas, log stuff, ln stuff) in this area and did not have much time to improve. I would recommend skipping the hard ones and doing the easy ones if you struggle with this. Achiever is ridiculous, a waste of time, don't do it. Math Destroyer was awesome-- one thing that it didn't cover was P values .
RC: was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I am a naturally "talented" reader and my over confidence and non-practice for this area definitely hurt. Suggestions... practice from MCAT reading comprehension passages because Topscore/etc. are FAR too "find this fact" search and destroy conducive.
OChem/Chem: The basics are very basics and there were... essentially 1 or two weird ones each section. Not really anything Tricky--definitely nothing that you can't rule out. Destroyer all the way.
Day of test:
Excedrin Migraine with caffeine. I slept ~3 hours before the test, and needed this. I might recommend testing melatonin to prevent this problem, but I did not test it out enough to feel safe taking it the night before.
Now:
We are applying to multiple schools to increase our chances of getting in together, also I am an URM-although I'm not sure if that really helps.
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